What are the risks of overweight and obesity to health?

Posted on May 22, 2014 by john in Health risks of obesity

The fact of being overweight or obese is not a cosmetic problem. Such situations greatly increase the risk of other health problems.
Health problems associated with overweight and obesity in adults
Coronary artery disease

As the BMI increases, the risk of coronary artery disease. This disease is the deposition of a waxy substance called plaque inside the coronary arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Plaque can narrow or block the coronary arteries and reduce the flow of blood to the heart muscle. This can cause angina or a heart attack. ( Angina is pain or discomfort in the chest. )

Obesity can also lead to failure noninvasive link icon. Heart failure is a serious disease in which the heart can not pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.

An overweight or obese are more likely to suffer high blood pressure.
stroke

Being overweight or obese can cause plaque deposits in the arteries. Over time, a section of plaque can rupture and cause a blood clot to form.

If the clot is close to the brain, it can block blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain and cause a stroke ( stroke external brain link icon ). The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of stroke.
Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the concentrations of glucose or sugar in the blood are too high. Under normal conditions, the body breaks down food into glucose and then transports the glucose to cells throughout the body. With the help of a hormone called insulin, cells convert glucose into energy.

In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the body reacts by producing more insulin. However, over time the body can no longer produce enough insulin to control glucose levels in the blood.

Diabetes is a major cause of premature death, coronary artery disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. Most individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes are overweight.
Abnormal levels of blood fats

If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to have abnormal levels of blood fats, ie, to have high levels of triglycerides and LDL ( “bad” cholesterol) and low levels of HDL ( “good cholesterol ” ).

Abnormal levels of these fats in the blood increase the risk of coronary artery disease. In the article titled Health Topics High Blood Cholesterol (English only ) for more information on triglycerides and LDL and HDL cholesterol.
metabolic syndrome

The link icon external metabolic syndrome is the name given to a set of risk factors that increase the chance of heart disease and other health problems such as diabetes and stroke ( stroke) is known.

A person can have any of these risk factors individually, but usually occur together. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if submitted at least three of the following risk factors:

Large measure of waist circumference. This situation is called abdominal obesity or ” apple type “. Excess fat around the waist increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease if too much fat was in other parts of the body, such as hips.
Triglyceride concentration higher than normal (or the fact of being on medication to control high triglycerides).
HDL cholesterol concentration lower than normal (or the fact of being on medication to control the low HDL cholesterol).
Higher blood pressure than normal (or the fact of being on medication to control high blood pressure).
Concentration of blood glucose higher than normal fasting ( or the fact that you are taking medicines to treat diabetes).

Cancer

Overweight and obesity increase the risk for colon, breast ( breast), endometrium and gallbladder.
osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common joint problem of the knees, hips and lower back. It occurs when the tissue that protects the joints wears. Excess weight can put more pressure on the joints and cause more wear out of them, causing pain.
Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common condition in which a person stops breathing for short periods or shallow breaths during sleep.

A person with sleep apnea may have more fat stored around the neck. This can narrow the airways and make breathing difficult.
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Hypoventilation syndrome and obesidadexternal link icon ( Pickwick syndrome ) is a breathing disorder that affects some obese people. In this syndrome, respiratory problems are due to excess carbon dioxide ( hypoventilation ) and the very low concentration of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia ).

Hypoventilation syndrome and obesity can cause serious health problems and even death.
Reproductive problems

Obesity can cause menstrual problems and infertility ( difficulty having children) in women.
Gallstones

The gallstones or gallstones are pieces of a hard material such as rocks. Form in the gallbladder and typically are composed of cholesterol. May cause stomach pain or back pain.

People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have gallstones. In addition, being overweight can lead to gallbladder enlarge and malfunction.
Health problems associated with overweight and obesity in children and adolescents

In children and adolescents, overweight and obesity also endanger health. Type 2 diabetes was once rare in children in the United States, but a growing number of children are presenting this disease.

In addition, overweight children are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults and take the risks of health.